Iceland - Paper - Svala Björgvinsdóttir

Digital release image EP

15 - 60 pts in semi 1
Iceland was represented in Kyiv by Svala Björgvinsdóttir and her song Paper, written by Svala herself, Einar Egilsson, Lester Mendez and Lily.
The song was also recorded in Icelandic as Ég Veit Það (I know it) (as performed in the national semi).

You can find both versions on the digital album Söngvakeppnin 2017.

A digital EP includes all (4) versions.
Remixes have been released on April 25.
Listen at Svala's Youtube channel.

In March 2018 Svala released a new ballad version of Ég Veit Það (Icelandic), available through all digital sources.

In 2020 a live version of Paper was released with Stuðlabandið. Read more about that here at Eurocovers.

No physical release or promo has been issued.

2018 version DRI

Who is Svala?
Svala is from Eurovision stock, her father is popular Icelandic singer Björgvin "Bo" Haldorsson who represented Iceland in 1995 with the song Núna.(15th place).
Nice touch update: Bo 'did' the points for Iceland in the Kyiv final voting.

Svala started recording at the age of 7 (hey, it's Iceland, studio time is booked when the stick turns blue) and had her first hit two years later when she recorded a christmas song with her dad.
Her debut album The Real Me was released in 2001. Her most recent album is already 12 years old: Birds Of Freedom from 2005.
Svala is a member of the band Steed Lord.

Remixes DRI

RÚV released the 12 songs for the 2017 Söngvakeppnin (Icelands preselection) through most digital sources. All 12 songs feature in their English and Icelandic versions.
Go and have a listen (links below).
Tracklist below, it seems there's no physical release this year.
Karaoke versions of all songs/version have been released through spotify (streaming) and IcelandicMusic.Com (selling).

Versions
Paper - English version
- Kyiv 2CD
Ég Veit Það - Icelandic version
Paper - English karaoke
Ég Veit Það - Icelandic karaoke
- all digital releases

The official video has an extra bit of intro not on the released version.

Paper - Daði Freyr* remix

Paper - Edvard Egilsson remix

- remixes: digital releases

Ég Veit Það (2018 ballad version)
- digital release

Paper - Live with Stuðlabandið

- digital release 2020
* Daði Freyr ended 2nd in the Icelandic 2017 preselection.

2005 album Birds Of Freedom

Links and sources
Thanks to Frank.
Svala Björgvinsdóttir: Facebook
Söngvakeppnin Facebook
RÚV Eurovision pages, Here are the songs,
RÚV Youtube: Icelandic / English versions playlist.
The Icelandic entries of recent yesteryears: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009
Iceland's 2017 song is the 30th entry for the country.

Söngvakeppnin 2017 album tracklist

1. Ástfangin -  Linda Hartmanns

2. Bammbaramm -  Hildur

3. Ég Veit Það -  Svala Björgvinsdóttir

4. Heim Til Þín -  Þórdís Birna Borgarsdóttir

5. Hvað Með Það? -  Daði Freyr Pétursson

6. Mér Við Hlið -  Rúnar Eff

7. Nótt -  Aron Hannes

8. Skuggamynd -  Erna Mist Pétursdóttir

The album, Digital release image

9. Til Mín -  Rakel Pálsdóttir

10. Treystu Á Mig -  Sólveig Ásgeirsdóttir

11. Þú Hefur Dáleitt Mig -  Aron Brink

12. Þú Og Ég -  Páll Rósinkranz

13. Obvious Love -  Linda Hartmanns

14. Bammbaramm (English) -  Hildur

15. Paper -  Svala Björgvinsdóttir

16. Get Back Home -  Þórdís Birna Borgarsdóttir

17. Is This Love? -  Daði Freyr Pétursson

18. Make Your Way Back Home -  Rúnar Eff

19. Tonight -  Aron Hannes

20. I'll Be Gone -  Erna Mist Pétursdóttir

21. Again -  Rakel Pálsdóttir

22. Trust In Me -  Sólveig Ásgeirsdóttir

23. Hypnotised -  Aron Brink

24. You And I -  Páll Rósinkranz

Belgium - City Lights - Blanche

Digital release image

4 - 363 pts /4 - 165 pts in semi 1
RTBF, the Wallonian broadcaster for Belgium, selected Blanche as the singer to represent the country in Kyiv.
The song, City Lights, is written by Blanche and Pierre Dumoulin.
The song was released as a digital single on March 8

2019 remixes
Two remixes were released on July 23 2019.
The Gorje Hewek & Izhevski remix comes in a 4 minute mix and a 6:30 extended version.
Digital release (Anjunadeep)


Blanche (real name Ellie Delvaux) starred on the 2016 season of The Voice Belgique and made it to the live shows. She didn't proceed to the final.
Blanche is currently working on her debut EP which will undoubtedly include the Eurovision entry.

2019 remix DRI

Promo Issues
A 1-track promo (cd-r) was used in Kyiv but it's a low quality home made affair. Just a blank disc with a sticker in a plastic sleeve with printed insert in a thin plastic sleeve. (No record company mentioned on disc or sticker)
Easy to reproduce so beware of fakes. And spending a lot of cash on it is not a good idea anyway.
A French promo made for radio has the name and title printed on the disc and comes with a printed insert in a plastic sleeve. (Le Label/Pias promo)

An acoustic version of City Lights was released on July 14 (digital).

Versions
City lights - ESC/single version
- Kyiv 2CD
City lights - Acoustic
- digital single (july 14)
City lights - karaoke
- digital releases
City lights - Gorje Hewek & Izhevski remix
City lights - Gorje Hewek & Izhevski extended mix
- remixes are digital releases from 2019

DRI Acoustic version

Charts
Belgium top 100 (Flemish): 16, 12, 15, 16, 9, 17, 11, 16, 5, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 10, 10, 15, 19, 25, 32, 25, 33, 34, 28, 42, -
Belgium top 50 (Wallonian): 31, 30, 17, 14, 9, 9, 7, 5, 2, 2, 4, 7, 7, 14, 15, 24, 22, 48, 50, -
Sweden top 100: 18, 33, 53, 82, -
Netherlands top 100: 39, 97, -
Germany top 100: 38, -
Switzerland top 100: 24, -
France top 200: 35, -
Austria top 75: 14, 29, 39, 38, 55, 51, 49, 53, 57, 62, -
Portugal top 50: 20, 28, 45, -
Spain top 50: 21, -

Coverversion DRI

Coverversions
A dance version was made by Alex Rae ft. Carly Clare. Seven mixes were released through all your digital sources.
(Major Music, released 19-07-17)

South African singer Colé van Dais teamed up with her chum Sishana Kubheka and recorded City Lights in English and Xhosa for her album Colé and Friends.
Find out all about this album here at Eurocovers.


Links and sources
Thanks to Frank
Blanche: Website, Facebook
RTBF Eurovision pages
Belgiums latest hits: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009